Trying to Design for Touch Screen and Mouse Access

Modern Internet Access has reached a rather interesting point when it comes to Us Designers and how we Design a site for access.

For many years, the Web had been accessed from Computers (Windows, Mac and to a less extent Linux) with Browser Software (Microsoft's Internet Explorer, and Netscape in the early days leading up to the Safari, Opera, and Chrome market we have in modern times).

But a more important shift started to take place with the launch of Apple's iPhone device in 2007.  The Mouse and Keyboard model we have all been accustomed to over the years got a new competitor, Our Index Finger!

With this change, Websites had to be rethought, for a cursor of the Mouse can be far more specific on a click than the pad of a Finger.  Evolution has also seen changes in screen size that have to be taken into account with designs.  While most Computer users had anywhere from a 13 to 19 inch Monitor, their mouse cursor was still scaled in relation to the screen.

With Touchscreen Technology, a user can now access the Internet on screens ranging from 3 1/2 inches on Smartphones up to 10 inches (currently) on tablets, not to forget the trend in Touch Screens on Laptop and Desktop computers.

And while features like "Pinch To Zoom" can help the end user improve their target area, as a Designer or a Content Provider, this is just another reason to keep cognitive of how your site is being designed.